Machine for handling semitrailers



Jan. 6, 1959 E. P. REPKE MACHINE FOR HANDLING SEMITRAILERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1954 INVENTOR. EDWARD P. REPKE ATTY.

Jan. 6, 1959 E. P. REPKE MACHINE FOR HANDLING SEMITRAILERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1954 ATTY.

Jan. 6, 1959 v E. P. REPKE MACHINE FOR HANDLING SEMITRAILERS 4 SheetS Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 14, 1954 INVENTOR.

EDWARD P. REPKE ATTY.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 6, 1959 E. P. REPKE MACHINE FOR HANDLING SEMITRAILERS Filed Sept. 14, 1954 EDWARD P. REPKE 31% m m M 09 mm a 4/4 IrEEIE m9 m N2 wQ mm M .5

Unite 2,867,451 MACHINE FOR HANDLING SEMITRAILERS Edward P. Repke, Coloma, Mich., assignor to Clark Equipment Company, a corporation of Michigan This invention relates to materials handling machines, and more particularly to machines for handling semitrailers.

The present machine is particularly valuable for loading and unloading highway semitrailers from railroad cars. However, this invention is adaptable for handling semitrailers for other purposes, and for other uses as well.

The practice of transporting highway semitrailers by railroad when they must be transported long distances is becoming increasingly widespread. It has been found that important savings in time and money frequently can be realized by this practice, as compared to hauling the semitrailers the entire distance over the road with highway tractors, in the conventional manner. Special rail cars are now in use which are specially constructed to hold highway semitrailers and are provided with means for readily securing the semitrailers to the rail car for shipment by rail. Also, special loading docks are in use for loading and unloading the highway semitrailers from the rail cars. It will be understood, of course, that the semitrailers ordinarily are delivered to and taken away from the railroad terminals by highway tractors in the normal manner.

The object of the present invention is to provide a machine which can quickly transfer a semitrailer from a loading dock on to a railroad flat car and spot it accurately on the railroad car so that it may be readily secured thereto.

It will be readily understood that the highway tractors which pull the semitrailers over the road are not adequate for loading the semitrailers on to rail cars. In many instances steep ramps must be negotiated in loading and unloading semitrailers from the rail cars. Even if the dock is at approximately the same height as the rail car, it still is extremely difiicult to locate the semitrailer with sufiicient accuracy on the rail car by backing up the highway tractor as would be necessary in almost every case. Furthermore, many railroad cars are equipped to carry two semitrailers, and this makes use of the highway tractors still more impractical because of the close spacing required between the two semitrailers.

My invention provides a vehicle which has a horizontally disposed boom extending from one end of the machine. The boom has a portion near the outer end for engaging the front end of a semitrailer, and the boom is arranged so that the outer end may be raised to pick up the front end of the semitrailer. In addition, the boom may be moved laterally to aid in connecting the boom to the semitrailer and also later to aid in positioning the semitrailer accurately. The vehicle is so proportioned and counterbalanced that it is capable of supporting the front end of the semitrailer at the end of the boom and at the same time propelling the semitrailer on to or off of a railroad car.

For a clearer and more complete understanding of eams atent ice my invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawing in which Figure l is a side elevational view of the machine embodying my invention in a preferred form, with a highway semitrailer being shown in a partial phantom view to facilitate an understanding of the manner in which the machine handles a semitrailer;

Figure 2 is a top view of the machine of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial sectional view along 33 of Fig. 2 showing a portion of the machine, including the boom member, in greater detail;

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial top view of the front portion of the body of the machine showing parts of the machine in greater detail, and

Figure 5 is a view, partially in section, of the double I acting hydraulic .motor which provides lateral pivoting operation of a portion of the boom.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 in Figs. 1 and 2 indicates generally a machine embodying my invention in one preferred form thereof. The machine 10 includes a body portion designated generally by the machine.

numeral 12, and a boom member 14 extending from one end of the body portion. The body portion 12 is made up of a frame portion designated generally by the numeral 16 having at least a pair of longitudinally disposed, spaced apart side members 18 and 20 as may be seen in Fig. 2. The frame also includes cross members not shown herein in order to simplify the drawing, connected between the side members 18 and 20 in the conventional manner. The body portion 12 may include also enclosing covers as indicated by the numeral 22, fenders as indicated at 24, and other parts which it is not necessary to itemize in detail here, Preferably the body portion includes also a counterweight 26 at the rear end of the vehicle for a purpose which is discussed in detail hereinafter.

The machine or vehicle 10 is mounted on pneumatic tired front wheels 28 and pneumatic tired rear wheels 30 as shown. In the machine illustrated two pairs of dual wheels are provided at the front of the machine to provide high tractive effort and large weight carrying capacity. These wheels are arranged to be driven by an interal combustion engine or other suitable means which may be housed in portion 32 of the body. The rear wheels 30 preferably comprise a single pair of dual wheels located centrally of the machine, as may be seen in Fig. 2. These are the dirigible wheels and they are connected by a suitable mechanism (not shown) to an operators steering wheel 34. The use of a single pair of dual dirigible wheels in this manner privides large load carrying capacity but at the same time provides a minimum turning radius. The machine 10 also includes an operators seat 36 and operating levers and pedals 38 for purposes which appear hereinafter. I

The machine illustrated is provided with a so-called dead axil shaft 40 extending from one side of the machine to the other and connected to the frame in a conventional manner and upon which the dual wheels 28 are rotatably mounted. The wheels 28 include hub members 42 (see Fig. 1) which are journaled on the axle shaft 40. These hubs, located on the opposite sides of the machine, are operated respectively by a pair of chains which are driven from a differential mechanism indicated by the numeral 44 in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 shows schematically for the front Wheels on the far side of the machine, a differential drive sprocket 46, chain 48 and driven sprocket 50 which is mounted on hub 28 for the front wheels on the far side. It will be understood that the same sprocket and chain drive mechanism is employed for the front wheels on the near side of the The differential mechanism is operated through, suitable. clutch, "transmission and drive .shaft.

means from the engine or other operating means for the vehicle.

. The arrangement,described in. the. preceding ,paragraph provides a convenient central :pointonwthenaxle shaft 40 ab out 'whichl'to pivot-the;-.boom member: .14, ialthoughit should-be understood that;it is'not-essential to my invention to pivot the boom -m'ember on :the axle.- It may be pivoted about another portion of the vehicle if desired.

In this preferred embodiment :of-my. invention, however, the boom-14 is pivoted about: the. axle ;shaft 40,

as may be seen best in Figs. 1 and .3. As shown in Fig.4,

the boom member 14 ismade up Of-tWO parts and I have designated these two parts :56 and58 respectively. Part 56 is'made up of a pair of longitudinally extending. side members 60, each of whichispivotallymounted on -gaxle" shaft 40, 'andretained thereon -by-means of bearing,=caps 61 (seeFig. 3).

which I have designated generally by thenumeral 64.

The front end structure 64 f the-rearv boonr 'part- 56 includes a top plate 66 and a bottom plate 68 which are. The top; .and

connected between the side plates 60. bottom plates 66 and 68 are provided withcirculanopen:

ings in which a cylindrical pin 78 islocated; The-pin of hydraulic fluidto the cylinder under pressure to .cause the extension of the pistons, pivot the rear. boom,,.portion 56 to the lower dash .dot .line position shown in-Fig.;3. When these motors are retracted the portion 56.isf in the solid line position of Fig. 3. The motors 72 operate in synchronism under the control of the operator. of

vehicle 10.

The front part 58 of the boom iscomposed of .anuppermember 74 and a lower member 76 which are piv'otally mounted on vertically disposed cylindrical pin 78. The boom portion-58. also extends rearwardly past the pivot pin 78 asv indicated at 80, and the portion 80is provided with bifurcated portions 82 above and below an hydraulic motor 84. The motor 84 provides for pivoting the part 58 of the boom laterally to either side of a central position, as indicated by the are 15 in Fig. 2.

, The hydraulic motor, 84 is shown in greater detail in Fig. of the drawing. As there illustrated, it comprises a cylinder portion 86 having a movable piston 87 positioned centrally therein. The piston 87 has a piston rod 88 connected thereto which projects outwardly beyond the cylinder at both ends and through the side plate's60 of the rear part of the boom member (see Fig. 4). The piston rod 88 is secured against movement with respect to the rear part 56 of the boom by means of a pair of fittings90 which are secured to the outer surface of side members 60. When hydraulic fluid is admitted to the cylinder 86 under pressure the cylinder moves to one side or'the other depending upon where the fluid is admitted. When fluid is admitted at opening 92 as shown in Fig. 5 the pressure in chamber 94 of the cylinder forcesthe cylinder to the.

left (as shown in this figure) inasmuch'as the piston rod 88 and piston 87 are fixed. When fluid is admitted at 96 the pressure in chamber 98 forces the cylinder. to'the'.

right. Itwill be understood that when fluid under pressure ist admitted to one of, the chambers in the cylinder 86 that the other chamber is vented to allow the escape of fluid in such other chamber and thereby allow the cylinder to move on the piston and piston rod. The cylinder 86 is provided with projections 100' at the top andbottom respectively. These projections engage thejbifurcated' portions 82 of the front boom 'part 58 and "thereby pivot Theside members 60 are secured .-together by a rear crossmember 62 and a front.structurein Fig. 3, are a pair of-hydraulic motors 72... Thesemotors comprise a pair of cylinder ,and piston assem-., blies which, when they are actuated .by .thevadmission.

party 58 laterally about pin .78 ,to. either side of a center line position when motor 84 is operated. Suitable sealing means, as at 102 and 102a, are provided for the hydraulic motor 84 to prevent the escape of high pressure fluid between the piston rod and end caps 103 on the cylinder.

It will be readily understood v.that hydraulic fluid for operating. the hydraulic motors 72 and .84 maybe supplied by a suitable pump or pumps operated by the prime mover, which propels the. vehicle 10. Suehfluidmay-be admitted :to the hydraulic; motors. .whendesired .bythe operator. by means. of, controldevices such as. levers 38 which operate valves in the hydraulic system.

As shown in Figs; .1 and 2 the front end of part 58 of the boom member 14 is provided with a connection device 110. This device has an upper projection 111 which is designed to engage an opening in the bottom of a 'sernitrailer :a'nd thereby \connect: the -.semitrailer. I to the vehicle 10. It will.be understood, howeventhat my in:

vention is not limited to this particular arrangementtfort engaging the machinez'to be handled-and connecting -it to vehicle}-10,- and that-other equivalent -means-may beemployed for thispurpose if desired.

If desired, the vehicle .10- may be-provided with a. bumper portion 115 connected to the frame 16 and.

extending forwardly of the body portion of the machine.

This; bumper, for example, may-comprise a replaceablerubber strip' mounted on a suitable frame work-which is joined to the frame. 7

In the operation of'themachine in my-invention, .it. is

driven by the operator up tothe front of a semitrailer 1I2which 'is at;rest on the ground or other surfaceand, detached from; a highway tractor-orotherconveyance which may at times beconnected to the front end for.

transporting it. Ordinarily the frontend of the semitrailer will be supported on a conventional landing gear-,-

or other supporting mechanism as indicated at.114,-while the rear end of the semitrailer," of course, is supportedonm the trailing wheels (not shown) in the conventional The vehicle 10 is negotiated so that-the: pro. jection 111 at the front of the boom is directly beneath'gar.

manner.

mating-opening. in thebottom. of the semitrailern, It

will be understood that the hydraulic motor 84 whichpro-r. videslateral shifting of the. boom may be operated1if; J desired tofacilitate positioning the projection: 11'1':ac-.

curately beneath the opening in the semitrailer. When the projectio-nlll has been positioned beloW-the opening in the trailer, the hydraulic motors :72 are operated: to depress the rear end;of:therboom 14-and raise-the front. vend toengage projection 111 with; the trailer. Then, upon operating. the hydraulic motor still-further: thefront-end of the trailer is raised-so that it may :be

moved by movement of the vehicle 10..

The trailer is then movedto the desired l0cation,,for example on to a railroad flat car, by..driving the .vehicle 10 in a suitable manner. The hydraulic motor 84 may be useful also in this operation as it may be utilized to swing x the frontendofthetrailer laterally to facilitate accurate. positioning of the trailer. After the trailer has been posi tioned at the desired location, hydraulic motors 72"fare operated to lower the front end of the boom againand disengage it from the trailer.

In unloading a semitrailer from a rail car the opp0-1 It, will be .understood, however, that my machine isnotlim ited to. the loading and unloading of semitrailersfrom site of the above described procedure is followed.

railroad cars but'may be used also in the handlingof semitrailers and other similar loads -forother purposes.

It iswell known that cargoes-weighing many tons are In order to handle trailers carry-'- ingsuch loads, it is necessary to provide counterweight- 26 at the rear end of vehicle 10." This counterweightismade of such size that the momentwhich is'produ'ces' carried in semitrailers:

about axle 40'always will be greater than the moment produced by the weight of the front endof the semitrailer on boom 14.

My invention provides a machine in which the operator faces the semitrailer which he is handling which, of course, facilitates the positioning of the semitrailer in any desired location. My machine is very maneuverable because of the short turning radius provided by the single dual dirigible wheels at the read of the machine. Accurate positioning of the semitrailer is facilitated still further by providing for lateral movement of the boom 14 in addition to the up and down movement for engaging and lifting the semitrailer. Therefore, it will be readily apparent that my invention has numerous advantages in the handling of semitrailers and other similar machines.

While I have illustrated and described herein one preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent to those familiar with machines of this type that modifications may be made. Therefore, it should be understood that I intend to cover by the appended claims all such modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for handling highway semitrailers and the like, comprising a body portion, an elongated two-part boom positioned in horizontally disposed relation partially within and partially without said body portion, means pivotally mounting one part of the said boom on the said body portion for pivotal movement about a normally horizontal axis, means pivotally mounting the second part of the boom on the said one part for movement about a vertically disposed axis, and means near the outer end of the said second part for engaging a load.

2. A vehicle having a pair of wheels adjacent one end thereof, a two-part boom member disposed longitudinally of the vehicle and extending in horizontally disposed relation outwardly from the body of the vehicle between the said wheels, one part of the said boom being pivotally mounted on the body portion of the vehicle for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis, means mounted on the said body portion for pivoting the said one part of the boom, means pivotally mounting the second part of the said boom on the said first part for lateral pivotal movement about a vertically disposed axis, means connected between said second part and said first part providing for pivotal operation of the second part with respect to the first part, at least a portion of the said second boom part extending outwardly beyond the said body portion of the vehicle, and load engaging means mounted on the said outwardly extending portion.

3. A vehicle comprising, a frame, a pair of wheels adjacent one end of the vehicle, an axle between the said wheels, a two part boom member disposed longitudinally of the vehicle and extending in horizontally disposed relation outwardly from the said one end of the vehicle, one part of the said boom being pivotally mounted on the said axle and having a portion extending inwardly therefrom, hydraulic motor means connected between the said inwardly extending portion and the said frame for pivoting the said boom upwardly and downwardly, means pivotally mounting the second part of the said boom on the said first part for lateral pivotal movement about a vertically disposed axis, additional hydraulic motor means connected between said second part and said first part for pivotal operation of the second part with respect to the first part, the said second part extending outwardly beyond the end of the vehicle, and engaging means mounted near the outer end of said second part.

4. A vehicle comprising, a frame, a dead axle shaft connected to the frame transversely thereof near one end of the vehicle, a pair of drive wheels rotatably mounted on opposite ends of the said dead axle shaft respectively adjacent the sides of the machine, at least one dirigible wheel connected to the said frame near the opposite end 'of the vehicle, a two-part boom member disposed longiwardly, a front cross structure connected between the 1 said side members adjacent to and forwardly of said axle, the second part of the said boom member being pivotally mounted about a vertically disposed axis on the said cross structure and comprising a first portion extending forwardly from this pivotal mounting and a second portion extending rearwardly from this pivotal mounting and between the side members of the said first part, hydraulic motor means connected between said side members and the said second portion of the second boom part for lateral pivotal operation of the said second boom part with respect to the said first'boom part, and an upwardly disposed projection mounted near the outer end of said second boom part for engaging an opening in a semitrailer or the like.

5. A vehicle for handling semitrailers and the like comprising an axle, a vehicle body portion supported at one end thereof on said axle, a pair of axially spaced wheels supporting said axle, elongated boom means extending forwardly from said axle in a plane generally below the plane of the body portion, pivot means mounting said boom means on said axle and intermediate the ends of the axle, means connected to said boom means on one side of said axle for swingingly actuating said boom means in the vertical plane and other means connected to said boom means for swingingly actuating same laterally of the vehicle.

6. A machine far handling highway semi-trailers and the like as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vertically disposed axis is spaced longitudinally from said normally horizontal axis.

7. A vehicle for handling semi-trailers and the like comprising a body and chassis portion, an elongated boom means positioned in horizontally disposed relation partially within and partially without said body and chassis portion and extending beneath a part of said body and chassis 'portion, means pivotally mounting said boom means on said body portion for pivotal movement about a normally horizontal axis, other means pivotally mounting said boom means for pivotal movement about a normally vertically disposed axis, means disposed on one side of said horizontal axis and directly connected to said boom means for pivoting said boom means in a vertical plane, other means disposed on said one side of said horizontal axis and directly connected to said boom means for pivoting said boom means in a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, and means near the outer end of said boom means for engaging a load.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,500,236 Cochran July 8, 1924 1,663,140 Remde Mar. 20, 1928 2,411,061 Saxon Nov. 12, 1946 2,496,474 Hyman Feb. 7, 1950 2,625,278 Sensenbaugh Jan. 13, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 106,413 Great Britain May 24, 1917 734,062 France Oct. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2,867,451 January 6, 1959 Edward Pa Repke It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 2, line 51, for priviujIs-s" read W provide-s line 5'7, for "axil" read. m axle column 5 line 8, for Weed read kw rear column 6, line 40, for "far" read. for a Signed. and sealed this 2nd day of June 1 9590 (SEAL) Attest:

KARL AXLINE ROBERT c. WATSON Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patents 

